Seltzer and sparkling waters have bubbles that differentiate them from still water. The main difference between the two is how their carbonation occurs. Seltzer utilizes artificial carbonation, while the bubbles in sparkling water are naturally occurring from the original water source.
Tip
The benefit of sparkling or seltzer water is that it may help some people drink more water and maintain proper hydration, thanks to its fun bubbles.
Seltzer vs. Water
The Cleveland Clinic explains that seltzer water is water infused with carbon dioxide to create carbonation. Carbonation, or bubbles, can make water taste better. Although drinking seltzer or sparkling water won't hydrate any more than drinking tap or still water, people preferring its bubbly nature may end up drinking more of it, leading to healthier levels of hydration.
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While carbonated sodas are typically packed with sugar, and so may have negative effects on exercise, sparkling or seltzer waters typically have no added sugars, making them relatively harmless in terms of nutrition. There is, however, the potential effect of carbonation making you feel slightly more bloated, because of the gas that creates the bubbles.
Bloating can easily be avoided by regulating the amount of seltzer or sparkling water consumed daily. Instead, opt to drink more still or flat water each day, rather than focusing only on water of the sparkling or seltzer variety.
The Importance of Drinking Water
Water is essential to health and is vital to the proper functioning of every system in the body, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Water has many important jobs, some of which include flushing bacteria out of the body from the bladder, stabilizing the heartbeat, regulating body temperature, maintaining electrolyte balance, and carrying nutrients and oxygen to the cells of the body. A lack of water in the diet can negatively impact all of these processes and more.
In general, people in good health should aim to drink at least 4 to 6 cups of water each day. This, however, can fluctuate on occasion, such as when exercising and sweating more than normal, or when outdoors on a hot day. In those cases, try to drink more water per hour than normal, in order to counteract the effects of water lost through perspiration. Additionally, those taking certain medications, or with certain conditions, should consult with their doctor about how much water intake is ideal each day.
Read More: How Can I Tell When my Body is Hydrated?
Benefits of Seltzer Water
The Mayo Clinic explains dehydration as what happens when you use or lose more fluid than you take into your body. If your body doesn't have enough water and other fluids to carry out its normal functions, and the lost fluid isn't replaced, you will get dehydrated. Mild to moderate dehydration can be reversed by drinking more fluids, while severe cases of dehydration may require medical intervention.
If you're curious as to how much water you should be drinking to lose weight, the answer is that drinking water is an important component of any fat loss plan. Drinking water fuels workouts and helps to remove toxins from the body. Because exercise and sweat make the body lose fluid naturally, drinking enough water or seltzer before, during and after workouts is crucial. Drinking adequate amounts of water can prevent overeating, as it may also help you feel full faster, thereby helping you to avoid overfilling your dinner plate.